Part 1 - Solution for Wheel Stuck on Lawn Tractor

[@kenmelvin9132]

Just had to remove a seized wheel on my Cub Cadet. Had to drill 2 holes in the wheel, installed bolts and used a steering wheel puller and a tried. Still needed a lot of pressure to remove the wheel. Afterwards sanded the axle, polished with emery clothe and a lot of anti seize.

[@PaulT999]

You were right, it was entertaining! The torch at the end was going to be my suggestion. Perhaps tip it on its left side and keep spraying penetrating oil then a bigger hammer! Before they rust up, might be a good idea to take the new ones off and put anti-sieze on the axles assuming they are keyed to the axle. I and my partner used to own a Sears hometown store so we sold alot of lawn tractors...I wouldn't put money on the new one lasting 20 years.

[@srredbeard5745]

Thanks for the great advice! I agree the best solution is prevention. Lesson learned. I won’t let this happen to my new mower. Congratulations, I’m sending you some @buckhartproperties swag!

[@clintk5367]

The way I have done it, was to spray PB blaster on and drive it around, stopping to spray more PB blaster on it, after about 30 minutes tires fell off!!

[@tomtom1484]

Let all the air out of the tire. Heat the back side of the wheel tube with an acetylene torch until red. Have a garden hose ready and immediately spray the heated area with the cold hose water for one minute. It will then come off freely. The sudden shock from red hot to cold will turn the solid rust to powder freeing up the seizure.

[@armyvet4081]

as soon as you get a lawn tractor- take the wheels off and never seize the axles-- saves a lot of head aches latter-- never let equipment set outside

[@gray1137]

I don’t got never seize but grease works for me 🤷‍♂️

[@srredbeard5745]

Good advice!

[@robertprobst521]

I used pb blaster for a day and then some kroil for a day. Then pounded rim from from backside just like you did. Wheel came of quite easily. Secret was to soak the spindle and let the penetrating oil work for a couple of days.

[@thomasmarquardt5483]

hey how did you get the beid broke without the rim coming off😆🤣🤣🤣

[@srredbeard5745]

Just unlucky I guess. 🤷‍♂️

[@arthursilva6140]

Heat the bushing not the axle. Use plenty of PB blaster and use an air chisel with a pointy tip on axle . It will come off.

[@jerrysmith1700]

I had a lawn tractor, like yours, given to me recently. The rear wheels wouldn't roll, the left rear tire was flat and would not hold air, AND the tire was rusted onto to the axel. While I was getting some tools and ordering a new tire, the fella who gave me the tractor took something and cut tire up and got it off the rim. I wire brushed the rim, coated it with dish wash soap and slipped the new tire on easily. the problem I had was getting the tire to inflate. So, I took 3 ratcheting tie downs and used them to balloon the sidewalls out to the rim and inflated the tire. the wheel is still frozen onto the rim. The other problems are for another day. Good luck!

[@srredbeard5745]

I thought about doing this with mine, but unfortunately I bent the rim trying to get it off.

[@jerrysmith1700]

Well, I bent rim is problematic, but not unresolvable. I used to work on 60s British sports cars and a lot of them had wire wheels; I bought a 5 pound brass hammer 🔨 from snap-on tool guy; you'd be surprised at how much you can straighten up a bent rim with a big brass hammer and a little grunt 😜.

[@Larrycoby]

Wheel or gear puller

[@boomertsm]

Wheel/tire puller kit

[@jamesjacks2010]

I'm sure, by now, you have found a solution to your tire problem. Nevertheless, I'll offer my best ideas. As you have pressure on the 3 point puller, use a appropriate hammer and hit the end of the puller! Sincerely Yours, Jimmy Jacks

[@tjzzworld9101]

I Hurd from a old fella not to clean the deck using the hose connector bc it ensures rust alot quicker so jus scraping the grass off wit the mower on some blocks is one of the best ways

[@srredbeard5745]

Makes sense. I’ve never tried the hose attachment.

[@tjzzworld9101]

@@srredbeard5745 yeah plus then you don't have this green slush left where ever you sprayed it I never understood the hose nosle

[@robertmailhos8159]

I've used a harmoinc balance puller on my poulan xt the wheel came off then to insure it came off next time I out anti size on the axel try it there young man✌👍

[@toddburton5548]

Hit with punch on other side

[@rebeccagarcia1762]

I used a steel pole and kept beating in a circle on back side of tire.it has a lock key in it.was broke off and rusty..yeah 👍 I got it

[@srredbeard5745]

Nice work! Persistence pays off.

[@ralphpuleo1987]

Same problem on my lt 2000, I gave up! Who needs brakes anyway

[@srredbeard5745]

Sometimes you just have to admit defeat and move on.

[@MikeSmith-wl1bz]

Why not just pry the tire off of the rim if you just need to repair or replace the tire?

[@iangolightly604]

Wanted to do some maintenance on my neighbor's John Deere 125 riding mower, thinking I would quickly pop off all wheels and lubricate the axles. Some three days later that one rear wheel was aired up again, without having been able to budge it. Never even attempted the other side. My biggest concern was not to risk doing damage to the transmission, so excessive use of a hammer was out of the question. And breaking the bead was not easy! Deflated both wheels and drove around, to no avail. Finally had luck using several C-clamps. Then to the auto parts store and got a three-legged 7 ton puller, which I was confident would do the task. Nope. When the rim eventually started deforming I quit. If I ever attempt this again, I will make sure I have access to a torch (a heat gun didn't work), and a puller mounted closer to the center of the rim. Btw, did you ever get the wheel(s) off?

[@srredbeard5745]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I still have not been able to get the wheel off. I’ve never seen anything so stuck in my life.

[@iangolightly604]

I've since seen a couple of guys having luck using an air hammer. They would just hold it onto the end of the axle, hammer away while pushing the wheel from behind, and off it came.

[@johngraham5305]

So I am not the only one. Lol. Don't forget penetrating fluid on axle. Wheel puller centre stud - looks like you could work against yourself if it's not pushing right on the axle. A little bit off centre and you are applying force to rim and axle. You won't get it anywhere.

[@nealhardin6869]

Heat will help after letting it soak overnight in penatrating oil..try using a small bottle neck jack against the tip of axle with a couple short pieces of 2x4s behind tire.

[@srredbeard5745]

Thanks for the tip!

[@nealhardin6869]

You're welcome

[@scottmurray2961]

Your rim has two holes, twelve o'clock And 1 at 6 o'clock. Try putting an Eye bolt in each hole and try that if that doesn't work, try putting a little bit of heat with a torch around the outside of the rim with the valve stem out of the Rim

[@stevejette2329]

Scott - Yes. That seems the simplest and best. Get a puller from AutoZone or O'Reillys auto parts free loaner bin. PB blaster for a week first.

[@richardkeith6822]

I was going to suggest some heat on both sides of the axel! Use a wheel puller hooked to the 2 bolt holes in the rim! Still might have to hammer with a pickup long rod from the back side! God Bless and stay safe!👍

[@srredbeard5745]

Thanks for the advice! Surely it will come off with enough blood, sweat, and tears.

[@marcmunday1691]

I just had to cut mine off with a dermal tool a few weeks back

[@georgiagirl1961]

Remove valve stem to release all air. Heat it up with a torch moving the torch around the wheel near the axle hub front and back take a pipe and 3lb. sledge. Hit end of pipe other end placed on back side of wheel jammed near the hub. Strike several times turning the wheel. Heat again if necessary front and back spray with PB Blaster, it will smoke. Strike with pipe and hammer turning wheel until it breaks loose. Return to front of wheel, jiggling wheel pulling at same time and it comes off. Clean up axle use some anti seize replace wheel, grease opening around axle, replace dust cover.

[@srredbeard5745]

Sounds like you have done this before.

[@andreimtriscas6626]

Another was is with shain, two pieces of 2×4 and a bottle jack

[@kennethhudson8013]

Why are you freezing like that?

[@serpentrae]

because when they assemble it they never use never seize

[@philliphall5198]

It’s a common thing because people don’t put antiz on it when there new

[@srredbeard5745]

Agree, but I don’t understand why it doesn’t come with anti-seize already on it when it’s new. Also doesn’t say anything about it in the owners manual.

[@Larrycoby]

Wheel puller and impact

[@andreimtriscas6626]

The las idea would've worked if you would've used some stronger pipe in between the shaft and the clamp screw

[@lasersbee]

Can't get a wheel off... Solution... Buy a new Tractor...

[@srredbeard5745]

lol. Yeah, there comes a time when you have to swallow your pride and admit defeat. This wasn’t the only issue this old tractor had. Sure, with enough time and money anything can be fixed. But when the wheels have welded themselves onto the axles, I think maybe it’s a sign that it’s time to bite the bullet and buy a new mower.